Meet our Coaches
Capital Thunder has one of the most experienced coaching staffs in Northern California and has developed numerous players to continue the passion of hockey past the youth levels.
Our coaches believe that family is the center of every great hockey program. Hockey is about families coming together every week to support the children and their community.
2022 - 2023 coaches
chris Hughes
Goalie Coach
Jon Hitesman
High School/16U - Head Coach
Cory Lange
High School/16U - Assistant Coach
Coach Cory has been coaching for seven years and has been with the Thunder for three. He has spent a lot of time playing pond hockey and outside of coaching he spends time with his family camping, skiing, hiking and swimming. Coach Cory also loves to decorate for Halloween and Christmas!
Scott Folena
14U - Bantam - Head Coach
Rusty Krouse
14U - Bantam - Asst. Coach
Coach Rusty has been with the Thunder for three seasons now, as both parent and coach. He played both ice and roller hockey from around age 10 through high school. He currently plays two nights a week in the local house league, at Skatetown, as well as coaches multiple youth, adult Learn To Play, and adult skills programs outside of CTYH. He is a self-proclaimed craft beer enthusiast (alright, maybe just a beer enthusiast), who enjoys woodworking as a hobby, watching his daughter’s travel soccer club and high school teams play, and enjoying ice time with his wife, who is learning to play ice hockey!
Jason Davis
14U - Bantam - Asst. Coach
Matt Strinden
12U - Peewee - Head Coach
Rob Lapsley
12U - Peewee - Assistant Coach
Heath Hodel
10U- Squirt - Head Coach
Bruce Barragan
10U - Squirt - Assistant Coach
Coach Bruce started playing hockey in norther California 50 years ago and has been coaching in northern California for 40 years. He knew he wanted to coach when he was a bantam and never looked back. This is his 19th year with the Capital Thunder, having coached at all levels. He’s a great outdoorsman as he enjoys backpacking and camping, but also loves to golf! He loves spending time with his family and is ready to be a grandpa!
